Volume II: Filmography

THE LITTLE HERO OF HOLLAND

June 17, 1910 (Friday)

Length: 650 feet

Character: Drama

Scenario: A dramatization of the well-known tale of the little Dutch boy who plugs a hole in the dike with his hand, suffering extreme exposure while doing so.

Cast: Marie Eline (Hans, the little Dutch boy)

Location: Many scenes were taken on Glen Island, a park and amusement complex in New Rochelle.

Notes: 1. On Sunday, July 24, 1910, The Little Hero of Holland was shown at the theatre on Glen Island, near where certain films had been filmed earlier. Posted admission was 5c for children and 10c for adults. 2. Some trade notices gave the film length as 1,000 feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE SCENARIO: Information concerning Glen Island, site of the filming: The area known as Glen Island consists of a series of small islands in Long Island Sound, off the shore of the City of New Rochelle. In the 19th century, it was developed by John H. Starin, who built an imitation German castle, landscaped gardens, and other attractions. The New Rochelle Pioneer, January 29, 1910 reported that the Starin family had sold Glen Island to Ignatz Roth, a woolen importer of 577 Broome Street, New York for a reported figure of approximately $600,000. With links to New York City by steamer, Glen Island was a popular amusement spot, and during the summer months attracted countless people to its amusement rides, theatre, concessions, and other diversions. Over the years, numerous Thanhouser films were produced there. Perhaps the most notable of these was The Patriot and the Spy, released June 7, 1915, to which listing refer.

An article in The New Rochelle Pioneer, March 25, 1916 stated that all of the relics of the late John H. Starin and all other property of his estate were included in the purchase of Glen Island by the Peerless Pictures Corporation, which announced it would "erect the largest and most complete picture studios and laboratories in this country on Island Wild, the most southerly of the group, which is farthest removed from the amusement attractions and which has never formed a part of them. The remaining islands will be continued as an amusement park. In the winter an ice palace will provide the public with skating and winter sports. Glen Island has been for the last 25 years a popular day's outing place. It comprises five islands and there are over 100 acres of land." Included was "little Germany," one of the islands, which had on it Starnburg castle, a reproduction of an old fortress. Also there was a reproduction of a Dutch windmill and another island had a Japanese pagoda and an Oriental garden. Despite lots of press-agentry, the sale to Peerless was never consummated.

Development of the complex was the brainchild of John Henry Starin (August 27, 1825-March 22, 1909), who was involved in transportation and was a congressman. He collected relics and artifacts from all over the world. He purchased Glen Island in 1881, which was earlier called Locust Island, intending to make it into a resort to rival Coney Island. Starin also was involved in the establishment of New York's subway system. He was in Congress for an upstate New York district from 1877 to 1881. Films, including Thanhouser productions, were shown in a theatre there, as the following newspaper notices attest:

The New Rochelle Pioneer, June 25, 1910: "Patrons of Glen Island now have additional entertainment placed within their reach that is rapidly becoming one of the most popular attractions of that amusement resort. We refer to the excellent moving picture shows given at the island afternoons and evenings for a small admission fee. The pictures shown are up to date in every respect and manufactured by the leading houses in this country and abroad. An especially pleasing feature is the showing of a picture series on Saturdays and Sundays that was taken in New Rochelle and which depicts local settings. A visit to Glen Island is not thoroughly enjoyed unless its moving pictures are included."

The New Rochelle Pioneer, July 2, 1910: "The latest attraction at Glen Island is the moving pictures. Saturdays and Sundays: New Rochelle pictures by Thanhouser Company. Four new pictures daily. Do not fail to see them when on the island."

In The New Rochelle Pioneer, July 16, 1910 an advertisement stated that The Girl of the Northern Woods and Her Battle for Existence would be shown on Saturday and Sunday at Glen Island and noted, "Above pictures taken in New Rochelle by the Thanhouser Company." The admission charge was five cents for children and ten cents for adults.

The New Rochelle Pioneer, July 23, 1910: "The moving pictures at Glen Island are exceptionally good. The only place in town where New Rochelle pictures are shown."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, June 18, 1910:

"Hans is a little Dutch boy, the son of a poor fisherman. He, like all children of Holland, is early impressed with the fact that the safety of the whole community depends on the strength of the dike. He is sent upon an errand to his aunt late one evening. Walking along the foot of the dike, he discovers a tiny hole, through which the water is pouring. Realizing that if left to flow through even this small aperture, the water would soon break down the dike and flood the village, he sticks his tiny finger in the hole, and waits for someone to come to his assistance. Night comes on. His family decided he has stayed with his aunt, and do not worry about him. In the morning he is found almost unconscious from fatigue and exposure, by his little sister who has been searching for him. She runs back and notifies the villagers, who come to his assistance, repair the dike, and carry the little hero back to the village in triumph. He is received by the burgomaster and praised by the minister. By his night's heroism he has made himself a place in history, and will always be known as 'the little hero of Holland.'"

SYNOPSIS, The Bioscope, October 27, 1910:

"This pretty little story is based upon the well-known story of Peter [sic], the little Dutch boy, who upon discovering a leak in the dyke, forced back the weight of the sea with his childish hand. Peter remained at his post all night, thus saving his village, and possibly his country from disaster. In the morning Peter was found unconscious by his sister, the villagers rushed to his rescue, and Peter was returned to his home. His bravery was rewarded by the burgomaster, and Peter found for himself a place in history."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, July 2, 1910:

"A graphic illustration of the old love story every schoolboy has heard of the little boy who saved the dike by thrusting his finger in the hole and staying there until nearly exhausted before he was found. And then he is taken home to his fame as the boy hero of Holland. The story inspired the imagination of more than one schoolboy, and adequately produced in motion pictures will fire the imagination of countless thousands more."

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